Burning questions for Illini football

Thursday

Aug 4, 2011 at 12:01 AMAug 4, 2011 at 3:02 AM

Three days of split-squad practices begin Thursday for the Illinois football team before Camp Rantoul starts Monday.

We’re still talking about the heat index, but it’s football season. Coming off a 7-6 season and a bowl victory, Illinois seeks bowl wins in consecutive seasons for the first time in school history. So here are the important topics heading into preseason practice.

JOHN SUPINIE

Three days of split-squad practices begin Thursday for the Illinois football team before Camp Rantoul starts Monday.

We’re still talking about the heat index, but it’s football season. Coming off a 7-6 season and a bowl victory, Illinois seeks bowl wins in consecutive seasons for the first time in school history. So here are the important topics heading into preseason practice.

Q: Without Ron Guenther as athletic director, will coach Ron Zook follow the same format?

“I try to keep my mouth shut and stay out of their way,” Zook said before last season.

It worked last year, when Petrino guided an effective offense behind the running of Mikel Leshoure and quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase, who lived up to expectations in his rookie season. On defense, Koenning directed a unit that jumped from 91st to 38th nationally in total defense.

Sounds like these guys know what they’re doing, so let them do it. With Guenther gone, there might be a power vacuum. But if it’s not broke, don’t fix it.

Q: Is Scheelhaase better than last season?

A: He was noticeably stronger in the spring practice season, when he had already gained 15 pounds, and showed more zip on his passes. After completing his first 13 passing attempts against Baylor in the Texas Bowl, Scheelhaase may have turned a corner from a running quarterback to more of a dual threat.

Without Leshoure, Scheelhaase and the passing game needs to be better. The receiver corps should also be deeper, so the Illini should move up from 10th in the Big Ten in passing.

Q: Where’s the biggest concern on defense?

A: It’s up front, where defensive tackle Corey Liuget made big plays last season before being taken in the first round by the San Diego Chargers. Sophomore Akeem Spence, a first-team freshman All-American by Rivals, started every game last season, and he’s the big play threat. Massive Craig Wilson, a 6-foot-5, 320-pounder, attempts to make a contribution after he was unable to climb the depth chart on the offensive line.

Promising but untested redshirt freshmen Jake Howe and Austin Teitsma are the backups.

Q: Who is the player to watch?

A: Jason Ford, And if not Ford, then freshman Donovonn Young.

Ford didn’t make a good impression during the spring, when he was unable to play in most scrimmages because of ankle pain. Then he was arrested for driving on a suspended license. It built little confidence in the fan base or Petrino.

If Ford falters, Young is a native of Katy, Texas, who rushed for 2,332 yards and scored 36 touchdowns last season but was overlooked by recruiters from his home state schools because of an injury during his junior season, Zook said. The Illini led the Big Ten in rushing in three of the past five seasons, so running back is a key position.

Q: What’s it take for a successful season?

A: No less than eight wins in the regular season. With the most home games in Memorial Stadium history, the Illini need to capitalize on a schedule that has them playing tough teams at home and winnable games on the road. It’s a big season for Zook, whose contract runs through the 2013 season with Guenther no longer around.

John Supinie can be reached at Johnsupinie@aol.com. Follow him on Twitter @JohnSupinie.